Lucknow, Mar 08 (ANI): On the occasion of International Women's Day on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav awarded women from various fields in Lucknow. After presenting awards at the 'Rani Lakshmibai Programme', the Chief Minister said there is a need to offer equal opportunities to the gender, who make up half of the population. Richa Singh, the first female president of the Allahabad University Students' Union, who was also awarded at the event, expressed her joy. Started in 1909 in New York, International Women's Day is celebrated every year on March 8 as celebration of respect, appreciation, and love towards women's economic, political, and social achievements.